Student Handbook

 

Goals
1. To provide an opportunity for all of the students of this liberal arts institution to develop a better understanding of the musical arts.
2. To provide training in music, leading to its associate careers.
3. To provide artistic leadership, outreach, and musical performances for the enrichment of the cultural aspects of the college, community, and area schools.

Objectives
1. In General Education, the music department should serve a large portion of the student population both in courses that require previous musical experience and courses designed for the neophyte.
2. Graduating seniors in music should:
a. demonstrate an understanding of the formal, harmonic and melodic structure of standard musical literature
b. demonstrate practical knowledge of keyboard skills
c. demonstrate performance competency in at least one area of applied music
d. demonstrate an understanding of music in its historical context
e. where applicable (k-12 teaching option), be qualified for teacher certification by the Colorado State Department of Education
3. Musical performances should offer a wide variety of literature and styles in live concerts by both student and professional musicians. The college and the community should be actively involved in these programs, with the music faculty acting as a catalyst in all areas.


Choosing a Program of Study

The Music Department offers three courses of study, each leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. These liberal arts concentrations include:

General Music Studies
Music Performance
Music K-12 Teaching Option
Jazz Studies
Music Business
Consult with an advisor to determine the option that best suits your background and future aspirations. You will be required to pass an entrance audition as well as take a music theory placement exam.  Auditions must be completed by the end of the first term of residency.  If a student is admitted on a provisional basis, he or she must re-audition each term until acceptance.



Curriculum - All Music Majors           

All music majors must enroll in the courses listed under “Special Departmental Requirements” in the College catalog. Included every term are Applied Music, the Major Ensemble assigned by your private teacher, and Concert Attendance/Music Literature. See the catalog and departmental checklists for specific requirements for each music concentration. Every Music K-12 Teaching Option must also apply to the Department of Teacher Education once he/she has completed 30 semester hours.

Applied Music (Private Lessons)  (top)

All music majors must enroll in Applied Music every trimester of residency. Specific practice and performance standards are set individually by each professor, and many music faculty also require attendance at a studio class or symposium as part of the applied music course. Performance majors should enroll in 2 credits per term; K-12 Teaching Option and General Music Studies majors, 1 credit per term.

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Student Recital Series

Every music major is required to perform in one student recital per trimester. These monthly recitals are held in Roshong Recital Hall on Thursdays at 12:20 PM.

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Large Ensemble

All music majors must participate in the appropriate major ensemble (band, concert choir, or orchestra) every trimester of residency. There are no exceptions. MU110, 117, 310, or 317 are recommend for the instrumental specialization; MU105 or 305 for the choral specialization.

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Concert Attendance/Music Literature

Attendance at scheduled recitals, concerts, and master classes is required each trimester of residency. Specific requirements will be posted each term, and concert attendance will be considered part of individual applied music grades.

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Piano Proficiency

All music majors must satisfy a proficiency requirement. Students with adequate skills may petition to take the examination from Dr. Campi. Those with less keyboard background should enroll in the Piano Class sequence (MU103, 104, 203, 204). Successful completion of these classes also satisfies the piano proficiency requirement.
The Piano Proficiency Exam consists of the following:

Scales and Technique:

a. All major and harmonic minor scales up to four sharps and flats - hands together, two octaves, quarter note=100 or faster
b. Chord progressions I-IV-V-I

Prepared Pieces:
Intermediate level pieces prepared with proper tempi, fingerings, and dynamics. Representative pieces include:

  Bach: Two part or Three part Inventions, Minuets
  Bartok: Mikrokosmos II-IV
  Beethoven: Sonatinas and Sonatas
  Chopin: Preludes
  Clementi: Sonatinas
  Mendelssohn: Songs without Words
  Mozart: Sonatas
       
Accompanying Pieces:
A work form 24 Italian Songs and Arias or any choice of an instrumental work such as a Handel flute sonata. The quality of ensemble is very important.

Sight-Reading and Harmonization:

a. Following ten minutes to look at a simple piece of music, play through it without stopping.
b. Harmonize a simple melody.

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Instrument Use

A number of brass, woodwind, percussion, and string instruments are available at no additional fee for ensemble performance, applied lessons, and for class lessons. Consult the band department or your applied teacher if you need an instrument. Instruments may be checked out through the Administrative Assistant’s office (Jones Hall 202). A faculty signature is required.

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Practice Rooms

Practice rooms, most equipped with a piano, are available for individual or group practice sessions. The band room is available on a sign-up basis only for recital preparation and percussion practice.

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Lockers

Lockers are available for instrument storage in the student lounge area at no extra cost. Departmental locks are required – See the Administrative Assistant to obtain a lock and locker number.

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Concert Dress

Concert attire (tuxedos for men and long black dresses for women) are provided by the Music Department. Students must furnish their own black shoes and black socks or hosiery. Band and orchestra members have the option of providing their own tuxedos or black dresses. Women’s attire must be plain black, floor length, and long-sleeved.

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Degree Recitals

Junior Recitals are required of performance majors only. These may be half recitals given in conjunction with another student.

Senior Recitals are required of all music majors during their senior year. This also fulfills the Senior Seminar requirement.

Piano Proficiency Requirements must be completed prior to the senior recital.

When you are ready to schedule your recital, you must have approval from your applied teacher and the department chair. All recitals should include music from various time periods, including major works for your performance medium.. Music should not exceed one hour in length. Piano, strings, and voice recitals should be memorized where appropriate, and students must provide their own accompanists.

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Recital Programs

Each student is responsible for submitting a typed copy of their program to the Music Publicist/Events Coordinator two weeks prior to the recital date. (Programs may also be submitted electronically via email.) When typing your program, always include the composer’s entire name and dates. Also be sure to include all movements of a composition. Consult the Music Publicist/Events Coordinator if you need examples of the format.

Program notes are required for senior recitals as part of the Senior Seminar requirement. Submit program notes to the Department Chair for approval before giving the final copy to the Administrative Assistant.

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Recordings

All public performances at Fort Lewis College are audio recorded for archival purposes. Copies of these recordings are available in the Music Listening Lab. Following each degree recital, the performer will receive one CD of his or her program. Videotaping will not be provided by the Department, but students may arrange to have this done independently.

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Juries

Juried exams are held for all Applied Music students at the end of each trimester. Appearance before a faculty jury constitutes the final exam in the student’s applied area. Students performing a degree recital are exempt from a jury for that term.


Student Objectives: To experience a true performance situation; to gain musical insights from comments faculty members in addition to their applied teacher; to demonstrate skills acquired during the trimester’s study.

Faculty Objectives: To review and evaluate the musical and technical progress of individual students; to encourage the artistic growth of students through constructive comments; to provide an opportunity for faculty members to share ideas and suggestions regarding applied instruction and student performance.

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Sophomore Proficiency Exam

An extended jury, or proficiency exam, will be held during the trimester that each student is enrolled in MU229 (Theory and Musicianship IV). Most often this will occur during the second semester of the sophomore year. Students must pass this exam in order to continue as upper division music majors. The exam will include the following:

1. Three contrasting pieces (solos, etudes, and/or orchestral excerpts)
2. All Major and minor scales
3. One sight-singing example
4. Additional requirements as determined by your applied instructor (transposition, arpeggios, etc.)

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Alternate Year Course Offerings

Due to Music Department staffing limitations, certain courses are scheduled on an alternate year plan. These may include Music History, Conducting, and various Music Education classes. It is the student’s responsibility to keep informed about alternate-year courses, so plan your schedule carefully. This course list will be posted on the campus web site.

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Course Loads

The music faculty recommends that all music majors attempt to schedule 16-18 hours per trimester, making sure to allow for adequate practice and rehearsal time.

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Drop/Add Policy

If you need to adjust your schedule by adding or dropping courses, make these changes as early in the term as possible. This will ultimately save you money and help to maintain your academic record.

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Petitions for Graduation

Seniors are required to petition for graduation the trimester prior to the completion of their academic programs. Consult with your advisor.

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Foreign Language Requirement

Two trimesters of foreign language study are recommended for both the General Music Studies and Performance major. The voice concentration requires three trimesters of German or French, including one trimester of each language.. There is no foreign language requirement for the Music K-12 Teaching Option.

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Advisor’s Role

As soon as possible in your college experience, arrange for a music faculty member to serve as your academic advisor. Most often, your advisor will also be your applied teacher. Music K-12 Teaching Option students are required to have an additional advisor in the Teacher Education Department. Keep in mind that the advisor’s role is to advise, and that the ultimate responsibility for meeting graduation criteria lies with the student.

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Federal Copyright Laws

The Music Department is in full compliance with federal copyright standards. Students are required to purchase their own music or if available, check it out from the library. Photocopying music is illegal. Do not expect to xerox your teacher’s music.

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Class and Rehearsal Attendance

Regular class and rehearsal attendance is imperative for all music students. It is the student’s responsibility to inform his/her professor if classes or rehearsals will be missed due to illness.

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Scholarships

Applications for music scholarships are accepted each spring, and scholarships are awarded to majors only, on the basis of performance ability and academic achievement. Descriptions of music scholarships are available from both the Fort Lewis College Foundation and Financial Aid offices. Additional service scholarships for majors and non-majors may be available on a limited basis to members of ensembles that require extra performance duties.

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Music Minors

A course of study for a minor in music is also available. 19 credits in music are required, including 6 upper division. In most instances this minor is self-constructed after satisfying the following core curriculum:

  MU 128 Theory and Musicianship I 5 cr.
  MU 128 Theory and Musicianship II 5 cr.
  MU 331 or 332 Music History I or II 3 cr.
  MU 109, 209, and 309 Applied Music 6 cr.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORT LEWIS COLLEGE     1000 RIM DRIVE     DURANGO, COLORADO 81301     (877)FLC-COLO (toll free)     ADMISSION@FORTLEWIS.EDU